Abstract: A process for manufacturing a solar cell from a reject semiconductor wafer comprising stripping all external layers from the wafer, etching the surfaces of the wafer so as to effectively remove all P/N junctions without pitting the wafer surface, introducing a layer of dopant to form a P/N junction in the front wafer surface, forming a first patterned conductive electrode over the dopant layer, and forming a second conductive electrode on the back surface of the wafer. In the preferred embodiment a sputtering operation is used to form the conductive electrodes.

Abstract: A collapsible golf cart apparatus for carrying a golf bag and including a base, a pair of removable wheels mounted on axles that are retractable into the base, a compartment in the base for storing the wheels, a cover for the storage compartment, a bracket to support the cover in one position in place over the storage compartment and in a different position to provide a seat, and a folding handle mechanism.

Abstract: A multi-point probe head assembly for providing electro-mechanical interface contact with miniature electronic devices and including a rigid support member, a plurality of probe tips each attached to a probe arm, and adjustment means for adjusting the relative position of each probe tip in three orthogonal planes.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in developing diazo emulsion media (e.g. plates, films, etc.) for use as integrated circuit masks wherein a developing gas is utilized; the apparatus including a developing chamber for housing the media and containing the gas during developing; an accumulator and reservoir for storing the gas when developing is not taking place; a pump for evacuating the developing chamber of air and the developing gas and for pressurizing the gas in the accumulator reservoir; a plurality of solenoid valves for regulating gas flow between the developing chamber, the pump, and the reservoir; and a control unit for automatically controlling the developing process.

Abstract: A static converter utilizing a transformer core having a gapped auxiliary flux path with a reluctance differing from that of another flux path, and a main flux path about which the primary and secondary converter windings are wrapped and through which the flux in both the auxiliary path and the other path pass. A sense winding is wrapped about the other path so as to develop on saturation a signal which can be used to de-energize the primary winding before saturation of the main flux path and thereby prevent the generation of high current surges through the switching transistors in the primary circuit.

Abstract: Apparatus for bunching vegetables having a stalk comprising a frame, a chain formed into an endless band, a motor mounted to the frame for recirculatingly driving the chain in a generally elongated loop, a plurality of members affixed to the chain, each member including a vegetable holding portion and a clamping portion, the holding portion being capable of supporting a plurality of heads of vegetables with their stalks extending in a direction generally normal to the plane of the loop, the clamping portion being movable between an open and a closed position such that when it is in the open position vegetables are able to be placed in the holding portion and when it is in the closed position it clamps the stalks of the vegetables in the holding portion, a cam plate connected to the frame and disposed in the path of the clamping portion for moving the clamping portion from the open to the closed position, and a rotary saw for removing portions of the stalks when the clamping portion is in the closed position,

Abstract: A flexible magnetic disc drive apparatus comprising a housing including a front plate, a drive spindle rotatably mounted to the housing for rotatably driving a magnetic disc, an elongated frame including opposed rails, opposed first and second ends, and a crossbar extending between the rails and forming a stop, the frame being disposed over the spindle with its second end pivotally mounted to the housing, a latch hingedly mounted to the first end and coupled to the front plate such that the latch is movable between a closed and an open position, a spindle-clamping assembly, an elongated member formed of a resilient material and mounted to the frame proximate the first end such that its distal end is adapted to be engaged by the crossbar when the latch is moved to the open position, the member serving to carry the spindle-clamping assembly and to bias it towards the spindle, whereby when the disc is supported on the spindle and the latch is in the closed position, the member biases the spindle-clamping assembl

Abstract: A concrete storage tank for storing large quantities of fluids, grains or other materials and including a circular tank sidewall formed of a plurality of vertically elongated wall elements having a generally Y-shaped transverse cross-section, a slab floor, a slab roof, a perimeter footing, a perimeter tie beam, and a central tower for access and for housing pumping equipment. In one method of construction the wall elements are formed in place while in an alternative method of construction, the elements are prefabricated at a remote location and then moved into place.

Abstract: A low noise discriminator circuit having particular utility for use in determining the spectral purity characteristics of an rf signal source and comprising, in addition to standard discriminator components, a down-locked reference signal source including a voltage-controlled signal generator for developing a reference signal and a corresponding train of signal pulses, a stabilizing voltage-controlled oscillator which responds to the discriminator error signal and generates a stabilizing signal having a frequency at least an order of magnitude greater than the frequency of the reference signal, and a sampling phase detector which samples the stabilizing signal at the signal pulse frequency and develops a control signal which is fed through a feed-back loop to stabilize the reference signal generator.

Abstract: A toilet seat lifting apparatus comprising a base which is bolted to the base of a toilet, a foot pedal pivotally mounted to the base, a bowed member formed of a resilient material and interconnecting adjacent ends of the base and the foot pedal, a plate secured to the toilet seat and an arm connecting the foot pedal and the toilet seat, the bowed member being movable between a lowered position and a raised position when the foot pedal is depressed, and slightly biasing the toilet seat away from the toilet bowl so as to prevent the seat from slamming as the foot pedal is released. In the preferred embodiment the apparatus is formed from polypropylene material.

Abstract: An improved magnetic read/write head-positioning apparatus including a cantilevered lead screw head carriage-driving mechanism and a damping assembly for damping any transverse motion of the unsupported end of the lead screw. The damping assembly includes a leaf spring having one end affixed to the supporting frame and the other end positioned opposite the unsupported end of the lead screw, and a slider button disposed between the leaf spring and the unsupported lead screw end and carried by the lead screw so as to frictionally engage the leaf spring and cause a force to be exerted on the unsupported lead screw end tending to resist any transverse motion thereof.

Abstract: A dolly for maneuvering, lifting and transporting removable wall modules in the erection and disassembly of a modular wall system comprises an upwardly extending A-frame pivotally secured to a triangularly shaped wheeled base frame and having a vertically extendable grip arm with a lip at its end engageable in a groove in the module ceiling channel for moving the latter into and out of operative position against the ceiling; the lower edge of the A-frame has a horizontal lift member engageable in a longitudinal groove of the modular floor channel for lifting and supporting the module in cooperation with the grip arm. The A-frame is pivotally supported on the base frame about two axes so that the module when gripped by the grip arm end plate and the lift member may be lifted off the floor and tilted rearwardly to make an acute angle with the base frame for convenience and stability in transporting the module.

Abstract: A photoresist spraying apparatus for coating both sides of metal sheets with photoresist and including a spray gun for spraying photoresist upon a workpiece, a spray chamber having a filter and exhaust vent for containing any overspray; a rack rotatably mounted within the chamber for holding the workpiece to be sprayed; a spray guide disposed at the front of the chamber in front of the workpiece for guiding the spray gun across the workpiece, and a positioning mechanism for moving the spray gun along the guide.

Abstract: A multiple prism beam expander for use in dye lasers and the like comprising two or more prisms positioned relative to each other and between a dye cell and diffraction grating such that laser light from the dye cell is passed through first one of the prisms and then another with at least two of the prisms serving to magnify the incident light beam in the plane of refraction common to both prisms.

Abstract: A microminiature terminal-adjustable integrated circuit impedance device comprising a substrate, a plurality of impedance elements formed on the substrate with each impedance element having an impedance, a first input terminal, an output terminal, a plurality of electrically permanently alterable contactless switching elements formed on the substrate, each of the switching elements being associated with one of the plurality of impedance elements and having initially a first switching state and being permanently alterable by application of electrical energy to an opposite switching state, an interconnecting means interconnecting the impedance elements and the switching elements in a first circuit configuration between the first input terminal and the output terminal such that the impedance between the first input terminal and the output terminal is of a first value, and a plurality of adjustment terminals each being connected to a different one of the plurality of switching elements for facilitating the applic

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling the quantity of water flowing through a water outlet in the tank of a toilet comprising a timer including a rotatable output shaft, the timer being responsive to the angular rotation of the shaft from an initial position and operative to return the shaft to the initial position after a time duration corresponding to the amount of angular rotation of the shaft, a crank coupled to the shaft and being capable of rotating the shaft through a predetermined angle when a force is applied to it, a mounting assembly for mounting the timer to the tank, and a mechanical linkage coupled between the shaft and a lift rod in the tank for moving the lift rod a dimension such that a valve is unseated when the shaft is not in the initial position, and the valve is seated when the shaft is in the initial position, whereby when a force applied to the crank rotates the crank and hence the shaft through the predetermined angle the linkage is moved a dimension sufficient to unseat the valve from the wat

Abstract: A closed loop conveyor system for transporting loads from one point to another and including a drive pulley and a return pulley, either or both pulleys having a plurality of cleat receiving annular grooves, and a conveyor belt having an exterior load carrying surface, and an interior surface with a plurality of longitudinal rows of cleats protruding therefrom, the belt being disposed around the drive and return pulleys and adapted to be driven by the drive pulley. The interaction between the pulley grooves and cleats provides superior drive force transmission from pulley to belt and provides positive belt alignment even under severe off-center or side load conditions.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its very large velvety yellow blooms, vigorous growth and nine week response.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its deeper red petal coloration, shorter petals, increased resistance to fading, smaller blooms and greater convexity of the individual petals.

Abstract: A new variety of chrysanthemum plant originating as a seedling of the Red Rover (unpatented) and a miscellaneous yellow bloom, and characterized by its velvety yellow blooms, vigorous growth, 9 week response and persistence.